Caitlin Clark’s head coach SLAMS racist and hate-laced behavior of new WNBA fans

Caitlin Clark's head coach Christie Sides, Alyssa Thomas and WNBA spoke against hateful approach of Indiana Fever and new WNBA fans.

Caitlin Clark’s head coach SLAMS racist and hate-laced behavior of new WNBA fans

Many in the WNBA are speaking up against Caitlin Clark and Indiana Fever fans for their behavior

Over the past few weeks, the narrative developing in the WNBA has been about aggressive fan behavior towards players. At first, it was Angel Reese, who revealed the dark side of how Indiana Fever, or rather fans of her rival Caitlin Clark treat her. With every passing day, more and more players started talking about it. Now after the playoff series against the Connecticut Sun, others have chimed in.

First and most notably, it was Caitlin Clark‘s head coach Christie Sides. After responding to a reporter’s question about what she told her players after the Game 2 loss, she went on to add her take on the same.

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It’s a lot of hurtful hateful speech out there that’s happening. And it’s unacceptable. When it gets personal, there’s no reason for it. The stories that are made up of what people see or think they see. It is just not acceptable when it gets personal for these guys have to have to deal with that.

Christie Sides said

Sides’ words revealed that this new wave of WNBA fans went after her players when they were down 1-8 at the start of the season. She was clear that it is not acceptable for fans to get personal with players.

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Christie Sides was clear that her players remained professional and turned their season around to reach the playoffs. But it is not ok for players to be facing this wave of hate-laced hurtful comments on social media.

She mentioned that players nowadays have their lives on social media. So, for such fans to take shots at them, makes it difficult for them to focus on their job.

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Connecticut Sun star chimes in about hating WNBA fans

Christie Sides speaking up about the new wave of hating Indiana Fever fans was much needed. But Connecticut Sun star Alyssa Thomas revealed at the post-game press conference how it feels from the other side.

“I think that in my 11-year career I never experienced the racial comments like from the Indiana Fever fan base. It’s unacceptable and honestly there’s no place for it. I’ve never been called the things that I’ve been called on social media, and there’s no place for it. Basketball is headed in a great direction, but we don’t want fans that are going to degrade us and call us racial things.”

Alyssa Thomas said

She pointed towards the behavior of fans both on social media as well as in the arenas. Especially when some targeted her teammate DiJonai Carrington.

This stems from what transpired in the entire season. Indiana Fever fans have been taking their hate to the WNBA’s Most Improved Player for being a thorn in Caitlin Clark’s side. The latest apparent eye-poking incident took that vitriol to the next level compelling Alyssa Thomas to speak out.

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WNBA takes an official stand with a statement

Thomas had her head coach Stephanie White chime in with comments from her side. Seeing all this develop, the WNBA released a statement on their own X account.

Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark

The WNBA is a competitive league with some of the most elite athletes in the world. While we welcome a growing fan base, the WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory, or threatening comments made about players, teams and anyone affiliated with the league.

The WNBA stated

Their statement went on to suggest that the league is actively monitoring such acts of hate both on social media as well as inside arenas. If the need arises, they will include law enforcement.

This is the strongest response the league has come out with. Since the start of the season, everyone felt that the league was letting things flow. Even commissioner Cathy Engelbert came under criticism from players and the WNBPA director when she seemingly confirmed that notion.

She later came out with a statement to condemn these acts. But this statement suggests that the league will work with teams to ensure their players are not subjected to such problems going forward. With the league entering its final phase, all eyes will be on next season as to how they manage this problem.